Man of business or otherwise? : Mr Modi’s visit to Imphal
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: December 02, 2014 -

PM Narendra Modi with CM O Ibobi at Closing Function of Manipur Sangai Festival 2014 at BOAT on Nov 30 2014 :: Pix - DIPR

Struck the right chord and hit the target in bull’s eye. This short statement roughly sums up Mr Modi brief sojourn to Manipur.

Yes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi humbled not only Chief Minister O Ibobi but also scored an emphatic moral victory over the whole Congress party.

As expected from a Chief Minister, Ibobi was seeking central intervention and assistance quite passionately for upgrading RIMS to the level of AIIMS, better connectivity, expeditious development of Imphal-Jiribam highway, air connectivity between Imphal and South East Asian countries and China, introduction of Imphal-Mandalay bus service, establishment of sports university, development of Smart city and of course establishment of a film institute.

The list was quite long. It deserves appreciation that Ibobi’s efforts to impress the new Prime Minister were palpable.

This is also true that Ibobi made all these proposals and appeals in the larger interest of the State of Manipur and her people.

This was exactly what was expected from a Chief Minister. In another word, Ibobi played his part perfectly and the State Government did a commendable job playing the role of an accomplished hostess.

After the customary salutations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened his speech with a double-edge statement: “I’m happy that the Chief Minister looks forward to this Union Government for delivering infrastructure”.

It was this single verbal stroke which vanquished and silenced the Congress party, and at the same time won the hearts of citizens.

Interpretations of the Prime Minister’s opening statement may vary from one observer to another but this much is sure: “We would deliver where your Congress Governments failed”.

The same statement also implied that the incumbent BJP-led NDA Government is not like the preceding Congress-led UPA Government.

By analogy, Mr Modi was indirectly saying, “We would accomplish in the next five years what your Government could not accomplish in the last 10 years”.

It certainly might have been a huge relief to the State Government leaders that the Prime Minister who happens to be from the rival BJP camp did not dwelt in length on the poignant opening statement.

Mr Modi was quick to don the mettle of a Prime Minister and his subsequent speech showed quite succinctly that he belongs to the whole country, not to BJP or NDA alone.

Thus the Prime Minister glided a step higher by overstepping vengeful party politics. As a leader of the country, Mr Modi showed his deep concern on Manipur’s unsuccessful struggle against drug abuse.

Apart from acknowledging excellence of Manipur in games and sports, the Prime Minister pledged his Government’s commitment to take the entire North East to new heights of development.

He then categorically stated that by participating in the closing function of the Manipur Sangai Festival, he wants to give a message to the rest of the country about the immense tourism potential of the State.

Manipur’s potential in tourism sector is not a new discovery. Before Modi, many leaders of the Government of India had repeatedly projected Manipur as an international tourist hotspot.

But nothing substantial was done to realise the potential. But this time, given Mr Modi’s unconventional approach towards developmental and other issues of the country, we assume we can expect something different, practical and fruitful.

Time can only tell we are mistaken or not. The whole country, particularly the North East needs action not rhetoric, delivery not empty promises, fruitful deeds not impressive words.

This does not mean Mr Modi’s approach towards modernization of the North East region is indisputable or unproblematic. On the contrary, it demands serious debates, analysis and cross examination.

But still, the essentiality of a man of word in carrying the country forward can never be undermined.